The sun blazed down on Levi as he sped down the street, drops of sweat covering his forehead, crawling down his neck. The quiet gasps pierced the silence as the boy’s legs moved so fast as if not touching the ground, not making a sound.
As burning grew in his legs, a slight smile rose to Levi’s lips. He glanced up at the clear sky and closed his eyes, letting the sunshine soak his face. Only birds were out with him so early in the morning. The small neighborhood was vacant, but it would soon be filled with loud chatter, kids, and elderlies. Until then, Levi had to complete his morning ritual.
As he swooshed by next to the two-story identical houses, he felt his body reaching its limit. The energy began seeping out of his legs, and his lungs began shrinking from lack of air.
Levi stopped, looking at his phone.
“Nice,” he chuckled. “I’ve run for 2 hours.”
Breathing heavily, he ran his hands over his damp hair and stood for a moment, letting his body gain the strength back. He loved the morning run that had turned into an inseparable part of his everyday life. That’s how he made the tension and anxiety vanish and prepared himself for a new day. He loved the first lights hitting his skin, his every muscle stinging and getting stronger; he loved being alone while everyone else was still sleeping and knowing that these two hours were only about him.
Inhaling, Levi took a sip from his water bottle and looked at his house, standing just in a few feet. The outlines of his parents flitted behind the windows.
Just when Levi was about to walk up the stairs, he felt someone’s eyes pinned on his back, like ticks glued onto his skin, trying to crawl inside his flesh.
Shivering, Levi looked back, fixing his eyes on his neighbor’s house across from his. There he was – Mr. Brown – sitting on his porch, in a rocking chair, his hands neatly placed in his lap as he moved back and forth, the sound of the chair creaking as his background song. His eyes had pasted on Levi, not even blinking like two crystal spheres.
Levi had never liked their old neighbor, a single, lonely man. His grey bristled hair, icy, almost transparent light blue eyes, and wrinkled skin always raised an eerie feeling in him. The creepy aura encircled Mr. Brown as he sat on his porch every morning, watching Levi go on and return from his run.
The boy stared at his withered face, like groove-covered deserted ground, his parched hands and chapped lips, balding head, and messy white beard. The more he watched, the more uncomfortable he felt. The man didn’t move his eyes away. Instead, his gaze turned more intense as if aiming to see right through Levi.
Goose flesh rippling up his skin, Levi quickly turned and ran up his stairs.
His mother stood at the kitchen counter, placing cut-up apples next to omelets on three plates. She smiled up at Levi before he ran into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
“I’ll be right out.” Levi slipped from his sneakers and slammed the door.
In a few minutes, when he came out of the bathroom while drying his wet hair with a towel, his father already sat at the table, eating his breakfast. Levi flopped on the chair, but instead of grabbing the fork, he eyed his mother.
“Mr. Brown is so creepy,” Levi’s lips twisted in revolt. “He watches me every morning. Total pervert.”
“That’s not true, honey,” his mother smiled. “He’s just very lonely and likes watching people. What’s so wrong about that?”
“Yeah, but he stares at me,” Levi enlarged his eyes. “Like this. It’s really weird. Creeps me out.”
“Maybe say hello once in a while?” his father shrugged. “Instead of ignoring him like you always do.”
“If I do that, he will definitely think I like the attention,” Levi stuffed his mouth and shuddered. “Ah, even his eyes make me shiver. I hate these old pervert men. Just get a life, would you?”
“You will become old, and you’ll understand how hard it is, especially when you’re all alone,” his mother shook her head in rebuke. “Don’t be so judgemental, Levi.”
The boy raised his brows before he gulped the orange juice and jumped up.
“Gonna be late for school,” he muttered and ran up the stairs to get ready.
On Saturday morning, as Levi was sprawled on the couch, playing on his phone, his mother looked down on him, holding a huge piece of cake on a plate.
“Take this to Mr.s Brown,” she said and handed Levi the plate.
“I don’t-” the boy tried to resist, but the woman turned, waving her hand.
“I don’t care,” she said. “Take it to him and then continue playing.”
Sighing, Levi stood up, put on his shoes, and left the house. As he walked toward his neighbor’s house, he felt like his feet weighed a ton, and he couldn’t move them anymore.
Finally, he reached the door and knocked on it, wishing the man wasn’t home. But he soon heard the heavy footsteps, and the door opened. Mr. Brown stared at him with confusion for a moment before a smile spread on his lips, happiness lighting up his face.
“My mom made a cake,” Levi forced the words out.
“Please, come in,” the man stepped aside to let him in.
Having no choice, Levi stepped inside and put the plate on the table. Suddenly the phone rang from the next room.
“Sorry, I’ll be right back,” Mr. Brown apologized and plodded toward the ringing.
As Levi listened to his inaudible voice, he noticed pictures hanging on the wall and standing on top of the fireplace. He approached them, seeing a young boy of his age smiling in the photos, playing baseball, swimming, or running in a field. In one of the photos, the boy stood next to Mr. Brown, as they hugged with broad smiles.
“That’s my son,” his deep voice made Levi turn around. “Was. He died in a car accident ten years ago.”
Melancholy sated Mr. Brown’s eyes, sorrow twisting his features. Levi’s heart sunk.
“I’m so sorry, I had no idea,” he murmured.
The man nodded.
“You might be wondering why I watch you every day,” he chuckled, tears glistening in his puffy eyes. “I don’t want to scare you. It’s just,” he looked up, his chin trembling. “You remind me of him, my son. He loved going for a run too. Sometimes his face starts fading from my mind. More time passes, harder it is to remember his face, expressions, habits. But whenever I watch you, the memories of him become clear. It feels like until I watch you, he won’t fade from my consciousness.”
The man fell on the chair, dropping his head.
“But if you feel uncomfortable, I understand,” he uttered quietly.
Standing there, watching the old man crying, Levi couldn’t help but feel guilty and ashamed for doubting him, for thinking the worst, for judging him without knowing. Regret gripped his throat, and he sat next to his neighbor, sharing his sadness.
“it’s okay,” he smiled at him. “I don’t mind.”
A meek smile formed on Mr. Brown’s lips as he nodded with gratitude. Levi watched his eyes that didn’t feel creepy at all but lonely and desperate, craving friendly words and a warm smile.
Kids filled the neighborhood, and elderlies strolled on the sidewalks. The puddles from morning ran glistened on the streets as the giggling children jumped in them, splashing the water around.
Levi, grabbing his schoolbag, ran up the stairs, knocking on the door. Soon the familiar silhouette appeared behind it before Mr. brown opened the door.
“I brought some crisps and coke!” Levi smiled. “Shall we watch a movie?”
“Of course,” Mr. Brown laughed and let him inside. “But I’m choosing the movie today. The one you chose last time was horrible!”
“What?!” Levi chuckled. “I have a perfect taste in movies.”
They laughed, walking inside the house.